Apples: A Class Act

Science and Writing

Background

This portion of the unit encourages students
to conduct simple investigations of apples. Students experiment,
observe, and keep records as they become "immersed" in a multi-sensory
study of apples. Students will make notes in learning logs as they
investigate and discuss the activities. In the learning logs the
students simply record what happened during the activities and their
reactions to what happened. Students may later use their notes as
the basis for language arts activities, such as writing poems. Writing
first serves as a tool for learning and later becomes one of the
possible end-products of the lessons.

Activities

1. Which Apple Is Yours? Describing Apples - Each student
needs an apple for this activity. Ask students to take ten to fifteen
minutes to examine their apples and write a detailed description
in their learning logs. Students should note the distinctive characteristics
of their apples, paying close attention to color, texture, shape,
and variations from one side to another. After the students have
had time to write, collect all the apples and put them in a big
pile. Challenge the students to find their own apples, using their
notes as proof that they are choosing the correct apple!

2. Listening to Apples - Arrange for students to work in
pairs or small groups. Each group needs an apple.

Ask students to listen to what an apple sounds like ...
 when you tap it with a pencil
 when you polish it with a rough paper towel
 when you bite into it
 when you chew it
 when you roll it on your desk

Encourage students to use comparisons such as "It sounds like...
a woodpecker tap-tap-tapping... drummers drumming softly ... a noisy
squirrel chewing a snack..." (This is a good time to explain what
similes and metaphors are, and why poets use them.)

Later, the pairs can take their notes and write a poem using the
descriptions of the sounds for a book or bulletin board project.

3. Apple Aroma - Slice different varieties of apples into
bite-sized pieces. Have students blindfold a partner, then write
down the words their blindfolded partner uses to describe the smell
of each apple. Remove the blindfold and see if the student can correctly
match the variety with its smell.

4. Other Senses - Describe in writing what an apple looks
and feels like. Use similes.

 smooth as ... nice leather
 shiny as ... a polished car.

The phrases can be rearranged and revised to make a poem. Students
can also use the similes that they wrote for the "Listening to Apples"
activity and the descriptions for "Apple Aroma" in their poems.

5. Water Content of Apples - Apples, like many other fruits
and vegetables, contain a significant amount of water. This experiment
focuses on the apple's water weight.

Each student needs an apple slice. Students tie a piece of string
around their slices, weigh them on a small scale, and record the
weight in their learning logs. The apple slices should be hung to
dry. Students weigh the slices every several days and note the weight
in their logs. In their logs, students hypothesize why there are
changes in weight. (As apples dry out, the weight decreases.)

6. Using Microscopes - Slice an apple into very thin pieces.
Put each under a microscope. Have students work in pairs and discuss
the appearance of the apple slice under the microscope. Ask students
to draw what they see and write down as many words as they can to
describe it.

7. Litmus Tests - Test a sliced apple to find out if it
is an acid or a base. Press litmus paper against the slice of apple
so the paper can soak up the juice in the apple. Discuss with the
class the meanings of the words acid and base. (Background information:
acids have a sour taste. They will react with some metals to give
off hydrogen gas. Bases taste bitter and feel slippery. They are
also called alkalies.) This can be done as a demonstration lesson
or as a small group or paired activity.

Apple Celebrations Year Round!

January -National Oatmeal Month. Apples and oatmeal are a great twosome!

February -Great American Pies Month. Make your favorite apple pie.

March -National Nutrition Month. Create healthy and delicious snacks using apples. National Peanut Month. Make a peanut butter and apple snack.

April -National Applesauce Month. Try adding interesting spices to applesauce for a new flavor.

September -Johnny Appleseed's birthday. Research the life of John Chapman.

October - National Apple Month. Celebrate with a July month-long study of apples.

November- Thanksgiving. Include apples and apple products in classroom feast.

December -Hanukkah and Christmas. Make apple presents for younger grades or for the non-classroom school personnel.

Adapted from Apples: A Class Act published
by the U.S. Apple Association. If you would like additional information, please
contact: U.S. Apple Association, P.O. Box
1137, McLean, VA 22101-1137, (703) 442-8850